The Best of Michael Franks: A Backward Glance

I heard "The Art of Tea" and "Sleeping Gypsy" at the one sitting in the late Seventies. I became an instant addict.

Eventually, my Michael Franks RECORD collection included every one of his albums. I'm now in the process of replacing the older ones with CDs.

I've only ever done that with a handful of discs (Pet Sounds, Sergeant Peppers, some Kenny Rankin stuff, and Miles' Quiet Nights ... oh yeah and Sinatra and Jobim)

Anyway, the Franks repertoire is cool, hip and sexy-smart. There's a hypnotic quality to the grooves - they seem familiar and you swear you've heard them somewhere else before. The lyrics are quirky, observational and intelligent - most of all intelligent.

Image Blossom Dearie a hundred years younger. If you love Blossom, you'll love Michael Franks.

If you've not traveled down the Franks road, then this greatest hits collection is a fair place to start.

But there's a danger here. Once sampled, you may find yourself on the right side of a Michael Franks' addiction.


The Perry Como of the 'Boomer generation   June 2, 2001
R. L. MILLER (FT LAUDERDALE FL USA)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

The above thought occurred to me when Como's passing coincided with a recent spell of Michael Franks listening on my part. My first impression of Franks was that, despite his skill at songwriting, he was a bit of a lightweight--I asked myself; "Who says jazz needs its own John Sebastian?" Anyone who has that initial reaction to Franks should do what I did--let him grow on you. It isn't an easy thing to do for rock fans, who are used to the first impression either hitting you or missing you by a mile--we're used to being figuratively smacked upside the head by our entertainers. But this album's a good start--the song you might already know is love song cum geography lesson "Popsicle Toes". Who can argue with the cleverness of a song that says the thing that turns you on the most about your lady is that she has cold feet? Which correspond of course to Tierra del Fuego? Franks' writing style is literate and tongue-in-cheek sexy and his talent for arranging shows the capacity to come up with whatever fits the song, rather than songs that all sound alike except for the lyrics and melody a la Barry Manilow. He can even come up with lyrics for another artist's tune (see "The Dream", based on the Yellowjackets' "Local Hero", found on his "Dragonfly Summer" as well as their live set). The singer-songwriter format is alive and well, and in Franks' case, better than ever. It's just that artists like him go more for staying power than short-term overhype.


The Best of the Best   August 4, 2000
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

Wow! I've loved Michael Franks' music since the 70's and this compilation expresses through each selection all my reasons why. It truly is the "best" of his magical, sensual style -- what an amazing collection on one CD! Every song could be considered his finest. It's delightful not to have to choose just one (although I'm quite partial to "The Lady Wants to Know"). Not only are you taking home Franks' playful voice on lyrics, but you are treated to Joe Sample's tinkling of the keys, David Sanborn's sexy sounds on the sax, Larry Carlton's fabulous way with his guitar, to mention just a few of soft jazz's greats. Would I recommend this CD? Yes, yes, YES!


A wonderful collection of gorgeous jazz/pop   December 10, 1998
John Jones (Chicago IL)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

Subtle vocals, understated instrumentation, warmth and intimacy...Michael Franks is the quintissential adult contemporary artist: clever enough to win jazz listeners and slick enough to lure pop fans. This wonderfully comprehensive compilation includes popular early work like "Popsicle Toes" and "The Lady Wants to Know" as well as later, radio-friendly fodder like "Your Secret's Safe With Me" and "When I Give My Love to You." Some tunes (notably "The Art of Love" and "Soul Mate") are missed opportunities for commercial success when viewed in hindsight, and the drop-dead gorgeous ballads "Tiger in the Rain" and "Hourglass" are attestments to the strengths of Franks' arrangements, and production, and songwriting prowess. Oddball tunes like "Baseball" and "When Sly Calls" are forgiven in the face of such beauty.


Quintesential Jazz Vocalist   January 29, 2000
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Michael Franks' silky alto and prolific lyrics make him the quintesential vocalist of the pop- jazz movement. Every song that ever made you love Michael Franks is contained in this CD. Buy it, and enjoy the best this artist has to offer.